Chapter 4 - The Hunt for Kryptman
Time/Place 191 009.M42 / Macragge's Honor, in orbit of Elysia
Guilliman raised an eyebrow and asked "Explain who or what this Kryptman is" Stigler began speaking in a nervous voice. "He was a Lord Inquisitor of the Ordo Xenos. The first to encounter the Tyranids actually, and was instrumental in winning some of our first victories against them. Kryptman eventually lost favor with the High Lords after some… Questionable actions"
Heimdall bluntly interjected "He went mad and was declared Excommunicate Traitoris after Murdering a number of worlds in an attempt to stop Hive-Fleet Leviathan" Stigler continued with "Yes, and then there was the Octarius incident, he deposited a large number of Genestealers inside the Ork Empire of the Octarius sector in an attempt to redirect the Hive-Fleet, and damage the Greenskins"
Guilliman was starting to really question the general sanity and practicality of the Inquisition. Asking in a tired whisper "And?" Stigler seemed to hesitate a second before saying "Well it worked too well my Lord, Hive-Fleet Leviathan was fractured and with so many Orks flocking to the sector, entire Ork Empires are becoming depopulated and easy to crush." "But?" responded Guilliman knowing he would not like the answer "But both species are growing more and more powerful. The Tyranids are feeding off of billions if not trillions of Orks. While the sheer amount of Warfare and conflict the Orkish feeds the WAAAGH-Field. I shudder at thought of what kind of Warbosses could be brewing inside of it." Guilliman let out a defeated sigh and walked out of his office and told the Inquisitors to follow him.
They walked until they came to the Grand War-Room of the ship. Chapter Masters, Admirals, Generals, and other Inquisitors bustled around the room, making plans and strategies to reclaim the Galaxy. They all stopped and Saluted or bowed when Guilliman entered the room. He told them to be at ease as he walked over to a particular Chapter Master who was formulating Void tactics with a number of Lord Admirals.
"Chapter Master Gustavus meet The Inquisitor's Heimdall and Sitler. I have a mission for you three." The centuries old post-human looked over the two Inquisitor's and they did the same. "You are the joint-leaders of a new task force. You are to track down the Ex-Inquisitor Kryptman and use his knowledge and your own expertise to find and kill the Devouring World. I am allotting you The Imperial Lions chapter and fleet along with any other assets you find necessary to complete this assignment, with in reason, of course, that is... I am also assigning Ephoroi Kyn as my representative." A being almost as tall as Guilliman seemed to melt out of the shadows behind the Primarch. It was a member of the Adeptus Custodes clad in black armor. The Custodes greeted them with a curt nod. "You have your orders and mission, prepare what you need to and get to work" Guilliman then joined the War Room discussion and the quartet left to begin the Hunt.
Time/Place 241 010.M42 / The Chaos Fortress system of New Lochos
The Task Force had spent over a year following the scant clues left by the Devouring World. It had become a case of looking for the absence of information not the presence of it. Wherever Planets went dark or sightings of Chaos fleets rapidly increased or decreased they went. If the Inquisitor's network of informants got a valuable lead they would follow. So far this had led them only to many of their preys victims.
Over two dozen worlds of had been found gutted and destroyed, and the beast showed no sign of stopping. Thankfully it seemed they were not far behind it. Each kill they documented seemed to be more recent. Hopefully, they would soon catch up to it. The other task, the search for Kryptman had not been going as well. If the once-Hero of the Macharian Heresy was still alive he was hiding extremely well. The one lead they had to his location or valuable knowledge about their foe was the fact that underworld trafficking of Xenos specimens and information had been on the uptick recently in the Halo Stars.
In particular, a large number of Tyranid samples were making it to the New Lochos system, hence why Inquisitor Stigler's Black Ship orbited it. New Lochos was conquered by the Iron Warriors in a previous Black Crusade and acted as a recruiting world and fortress for Perturabo's Sons when they left the Eye. The trail lead here so using the stealth technology of the Black Ship A group of acolytes led by a Throne Agent skilled at infiltration made planet-fall intent on finding out more about Kryptman.
The Planet they landed on was a Chaos Urban world known as Grim Salvage. The data they had acquired showed huge amounts of resources and specimens were consistently funneling into this world. It took the Acolytes months of scouring, sneaking, and "coaxing" information for them discover the reason. There was a secret laboratory on this planet where unholy experiments involving Xenos and Daemons were being conducted. Rumors spoke of Human Alien Hybrids, Tyranid Chimeras, and something known as the "Shackled Queen"
Time was short, a kidnapped Savage Morticians had been forced to tell them all he knew about this Fortress-facility known as Echidna's Womb. Among other things, the Acolytes learned that the facility was mobile and transported between planets constantly to keep itself hidden. For to quote the tortured Dark Mechanicus "Some things are blasphemous even in the eyes of Chaos and our work attracted the attention of things...best left undescribed." With that knowledge, the leaders of the Task Force agreed to assault the Fortress-Laboratory for any and all information they could acquire.
Time/Place 397 010.M42 / Echidna's Womb: Dark Mechanicus research facility on Grim Salvage.
A Joint squad of Astartes and Stormtroopers rode in silence as the Three Thunderhawks screamed through the night atmosphere towards their target. Orbital scans had shown that Echidna's Womb was, in fact, a Grounded Imperial Vessel. Emperor willing there would be minimum modifications to it and the Files on the layout of that type of vessel would allow them to navigate it. Their orders were to capture or kill any and all enemy combatants and shut down the vessels defense so the main force could attack.
The Thunderhawks were moving at extreme speeds to avoid any enemy Air Defense. High altitude insertion was how they intended to arrive at the mission site. The Drop-Ships opened up and fifteen Astartes and thirty Inquisitorial Stormtroopers plunged to the ground. They were a few klicks over the site and hoped to land directly where the vessels command bridge would be. The jump was timed perfectly and the troops were in perfect range when their Grav Chutes and Jump Packs were activated. The deep strike was going well until the sky was bright with fire. AA placements lit up the sky and one of the Thunderhawks exploded in a flash of flame. Despite the Imperials best effort the insertion was detected and the battle had begun.
The other two Thunderhawks began to return fire aiming away from the Jump Infantry. Despite the distraction provided five Stormtroopers were killed in the descent. The lucky ones were killed instantly by bolt or Las fire. The unlucky ones had their Chutes hit and they fell screaming to earth. The Astartes also took fire but their armor protected them. Forty troops made it to Echidna's Womb, Seventeen would make it out.
They landed right on top of the Bridge and cut their way into the beached ship. The Imperials used the "Poisoned Spear" technique of Deathwatch fame. A technique oft used on joint Deathwatch/Stormtrooper missions. Astartes pushed heavy through the halls of the vessel smashing through any and all resistance with their superhuman power. The Stormtroopers mopped up those not subdued in the initial Astartes Blitz. They faced Lost and Damned troops, Dark Mechanicus and even Iron Warriors in these close quarter vicious battles. Of the 15 Astartes assigned only 10 of them were Imperial Lions (a standard squad) the other 5 were Inquisitor Stigler's Deathwatch Kill Team.
The Kill team had more specific orders to secure any and all research inside the labs of the vessel. They broke off from the Imperial Lions and Stormtroopers and headed to that direction while the rest of the force pushed to the central control of the Ship. Two hours later the defenses of the Womb fell and the rest of the contingent assaulted the ship. As they made their way deeper into the curiously lifeless vessel they found "bits" of Stormtroopers and Astartes intermingled with the carnage. One look at the bodies was all it took Stigler (who had led this second phase attack) to know the culprit, Genestealers…
Stigler checked his Hellpistol and watched the Imperial Lion Terminators who were part of the force take position. This was no space-hulk but they would do what they do best. He then Joined a group of Primaris Terminators as the force fanned out throughout Echidna's Womb. The Inquisitor's squad made their way deeper and deeper into the vessel passing through various scenes of carnage. Thankfully few Imperial bodies were in these scenes and mostly Chaos and Genestealers.
Eventually, they heard the distinctive noise of bolter and Las fire. Moving quickly towards the source, they found a large chamber that had been turned into a makeshift Kill-room by a group of Astartes and Stormtroopers. The Imperial Lions recognized each other and mutually shouted not to open fire. Jumping down from the gantry being used to provide higher ground Sergeant Enar, the leader of the squad sent in first moved towards the Inquisitor with his face snarling with rage.
His helmet was gone, torn apart off by Genestealers claws that had also taken his right eye and left a nasty gouge on his face. "YOU KNEW!" he roared grabbing the Inquisitor by his collar. "YOU KNEW THIS WAS A BLACK SHIP AND WHAT MIGHT BE HERE! YOU DEPLOYED MY BROTHERS AND YOUR OWN TROOPS INTO WHAT AS WELL WOULD BE A DEATH TRAP!" Calmly responding Stigler spoke "Yes we needed to know the capabilities of this base and if it was what we thought it was. You performed admirably, Ex-Inquisitor Kryptman's vessel will be soon under our command"
Releasing his grip all while still glaring at Stigler, Enar continued "How? How? Are they doing this, domesticated Genestealers are unheard of?" At that Stigler's eyes widened "Explain Astartes, what do you mean?" The Sergeant snarled "Iron Warriors had set up choke points and kill-boxes we could avoid them fairly easily and work our way around them until the Genestealers showed up. We were herded like Grox into a pen. The twelve of us are all that's left of the main force. We forced our way into one of their ambush points and made it ours. I have no idea where the hell your Deathwatch team is, hopefully not dead thanks to your idiocy and decision to use us as bait you wretch!"
Ignoring the irate Astartes and frowning at this news Stigler had his forces relieve the besieged survivors. Then turn their makeshift camp into a forward base. By dawn, almost all of the vessel was sterilized by Bolt and Flame. All that was left was the sealed off internal laboratory complex. It was a custom modification to the vessel that seemed to be shut from the Inside, and they're still was no sign of the Deathwatch Kill Team.
As the last scans and patrols of the Womb finished up a discussion raged about trying to force open the inner lab. Some were worried that they would activate some sort of defense that at best would destroy the contents of the lab, at worse wipe out the planet. The slowly growing debate ended quickly when the Vault doors to the lab began to slowly open. A Single Deathwatch Astartes stood them, a Somber looking Techmarine had managed to open the door from the inside. The Techmarine simply said: "Lord Inquisitor you'd better come see this."
Time/Place 398 010.M42 / Echidna's Womb: Inside Kryptman's Vault
Lord Inquisitor Stigler and his Squad of Astartes were the first to follow the Techmarine into the laboratory. The Chamber was massive and utterly horrifying. Countless pieces of equipment that ranged from the mundane to tools of pain and mutation littered the chamber, but the centerpiece of the room was the most twisted sight. A Massive throne-cocoon Stood anchored to Adamantium support pillars. Its occupant was a truly Massive Xeno of obviously Tyranid-kin. The Imperial Knight sized creature had its arms chained to the pillars and it seemed to be asleep, or dead. In front of it on a dais was a kneeling Old Man. His arms covered in Chains, wires, and tubes that linked him to the monster.
Four Deathwatch members stood around this curious display. All with weapons trained on the Monster or the Man. Stigler then heard a slight scuttling noise and realized the another worrying aspect of this already disturbing room. The Walls and Ceiling were covered in Genestealers of all shape and size. He and his Squad were just about to open fire on the Xenos when the Techmarine spoke "Don't sir, we have reached a...compromise" The chained old man's head slowly looked up to peer at them, as he did the Giant Xeno's head mimicked the action in almost perfect unison. Slowly Standing the withered looking man began to smile. Stigler suddenly stopped all movement and became rigid as he recognized the face. Even after centuries of age and countless injuries the face of Ex-Lord Inquisitor Kryptman was distinct and burned into Stigler's memory.
With a raspy voice that spoke of his advanced years, he spoke: "I am glad fellow servants of the Imperium have found me, I was beginning I would be here forever crafting abominations for the Iron Warriors." The Deathwatch leader then spoke. "We found the heretic in here with a Warpsmith and his retinue. Before they could attack us the Genestealers tore them to pieces and did not attack us." Kryptmans cracked lips smiled "But of course you are my rescuers and I would much prefer to work with the Imperium and my former colleagues than these traitors." Every hand gesture or slight movement Kryptman made was mimicked by the colossal Xeno as if it was some gigantic grotesque puppet.
Stigler approached the Dais and spoke "You were declared Carta Extremis for your actions and after centuries of hunting we find you here among Traitors and Madmen. Which is fitting for you are a traitor and a madman. If my Puritan comrade were here they would have killed you and be done with it. Luckily for you, we need your assistance" Kryptman's eyes widened and he smirked. "So it seems the forces of the Warmaster are not the only one having trouble with what I have named Hivefleet Ghoul."
Kryptman continued with an almost casual air "The Cannibal World? The Doom of Fodder III? The Spawn-Planet? I assume that's why you're here. My former captives were under orders by The Despoiler himself to capture me. I had all manner of contingencies and traps for the Imperium if they ever came calling but I had never considered that the Great Enemy would." Stigler asked, "Why did the traitors want you?" " Oh, the same reason you do I assume, my expertise on the Great Devourer. They used all manner of methods to pry all the information they could get out of me." He adjusted his semi-ragged robes to show countless scars and marks that crisscrossed his emaciated form.
The normally enthusiastic and flamboyant Stigler's face was a mask of cold resolve. "That is informing but does not explain That!" motioning to the Puppet-Beast behind Kryptman. With a sad smile, Kryptman motioned to the beast, which arms copied the action. "Echidna here is a Tyranid Norn Queen. Lobotomized and linked to me, I act as her higher reasoning which allows me control over her spawn" With a Gesture a Genestealer descended from the ceiling and made the sign of the Aquilla with all four of its arms. One of the Deathwatch members promptly shot it. "Well that was not very nice" sighed Kryptman. The furious Deathwatch members spoke "You are the priority target and we are under orders to capture you alive. That does not mean I have to let you commit such heresy"
Stigler then asked "How are you alive? You were reaching the point where rejuve treatments barely help even before you were declared rogue." Kryptman started to chuckle "At first raw determination and a few secrets bartered from a Haemonculi kept me going but once I was captured, other more… unorthodox methods were used" He gestured to his chains and noticed a string of tubes that pumped his blood into the monster and it's into him.
A disgusted Stigler walked firmly up to Kryptman and handed him a Scroll that was sealed by Guilliman's own insignia. Ripping it open Kryptman read it and a foul smile split across his face. "My My, you really are desperate, A stay of execution for as long as I help against The Devouring World? huh, so that's what you're calling me?. Oh, and if I satisfactory assist you I will be pardoned for my crimes against the Imperium and spend the rest of my days toiling away in the service of…. Well. well. well, the rumors are true Primarch Roboute Guilliman is among the living." Handing the letter back to Stigler he continued "I accept this most generous offer and the full sum of my knowledge and power is at your disposal."
Taking a deep breath Kryptman seemed to focus, one by one the Genestealers dropped dead and the Norn-Queen seemed to shudder and the blood flowing in the tubes into Kryptman went from red to pure black. Kryptman seemed to rejuvenate in front of their eyes. Muscle grew, skin and hair color returned and the Astartes could almost sense his Telomeres being repaired. The Tyranid Mother slumped over dead and drained and Kryptman detached himself from the syringes, cords, and chains with unnatural strength. Cracking his ancient bones he flexed and simply said: "The Life Blood of a Hivefleet does wonders for an old man such as myself." And with that, The Hunt for Hive Fleet Ghoul began in earnest.